Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Packages cause fright at costume shop

TORONTO - Toronto Police are searching every inch of a party store in Etobicoke where seven “suspicious devices” have been found in recent days.
Amazing Party and Costume, on Oxford St. near the Gardiner Expressway and Islington Ave., was forced to close its doors over the weekend after staff found two packages containing explosive material.
Officers from the forensic and organized crime units were called in to thoroughly search the premises.
“A total of seven suspicious devices have been found so far,” Const. Tony Vella said Tuesday night. “And we’re still investigating.”
He said it was too soon to say how many of the devices contained explosives or what the motivation might be behind the apparent attack on the store.
Local Toronto Councillor Mark Grimes released a statement earlier in the day about the ongoing situation in his ward.
“The Amazing Party Store has long been a landmark store in our community, where local residents have shopped for their holiday supplies,” Grimes stated.
He called the seven suspicious packages in the last five days “regrettable and shocking,” particularly since many children and parents pass through the store during Halloween.
“We recognize that many local businesses have been closed and suffered lost revenue due to this investigation, and thank them for their cooperation during this difficult time,” Grimes stated.
Fogh Marine is one of those businesses.
“It is awful. It has been brutal. Thank God it is the end of the season for us,” said Peter Epstien, manager of Fogh.
“I have never heard of anything like this. Who would want to bomb a Halloween store?”
Brian Bosanac has made three attempts to get to the marine store.
“I need parts for my boat so this has been really inconvenient,” Bosanac said.
Nick Gasparik works across the street from the party supply store at Local Equipment Supplies, which is in the entertainment business.
“It is kind of weird like you are waiting for something to happen. Now we can’t get our trucks out (because of the police tape),” Gasparik said.